- What is the rationale for the current bio-chem-physics sequence
- dovetails with health/drugs curriculum in freshman studies?
- Bio was for more concrete thinkers at the time
- students needed to be more comfortable with math at that
- Bio needs the least math?
- in last 50 years, biology has changed to involve much more
chemistry in mol. bio.
- What are the benefits of the course that requires the most math to
the years when they know the least?
- Is physics math, or is math a tool used in physics?
- How can physics help lead into/ complement math?
- Are we looking at moving conceptual physics to 9th grade? Or are we
looking at something entirely new?
- Why would we need something new?
- Conceptual physics requires too much memorization?
- What would be the 4 year sequence?
- How would this affect senior courses/electives?
- how would this affect junior year?
- history, english, reading heavy already—bio is too? what would
this mean?
- Easier to double with physics?
- students avoid conceptual physics as juniors by taking chem II.
Math requirements..
- How does this having chem before bio affect the biology course?
- Sectioning? would all students take the same course?
- NCS has one level
- SSSA has three levels tracked to 3 math tracks
- A majority of any kind of 9th grade programs have 2 levels
- There are more students now who are taking math II as freshmen
- Majority are taking Alg I in 8th grade. some taking Math I, some
taking non-alg course.
- Why are we considering changing the whole sequence of science?
- current bio course covers atom to biosphere in 1 year...would
this be more managable to juniors?
- Would a good solid physical science course do the same thing?
- Bio 1A is inquiry based
- students do independent research project, work on this all year
long. Would average junior be able to do this?
- could you do this with 80 kids?
- Would significantly change biology...
- 23/125 kids
- could we reduce content in bio?
- separate out human phys course material into a separate class?
- Should every student study bio, chem and physics in high school?
- in writing, we infer that you have to take 1 life and one
physical (phy sic, physics, chem) in high school
- are chem and physics different enough to require that students
have a full year?
- Students should have exposure to these three before they leave...
by making this change, this becomes an unwritten requirement.
-
- What is enrollment?
- how many students are in each course?
- benefits of bringing more math into 9th grade science
curriculum..would this allow kids to enhance their math skills?
- Gtown friends saw increased psat scores?
- Thinking about some of the Alg I
- would they be ready for a chem 1 class as sophomores?
- How are other schools adapting for lower level students
- SSSA still has a 10th grade env. sci placeholder...
- Has the middle school talked about the feasability of env sci in 7th
grade?
- Need background in physical science, can't do climate change N P
cycles
- env course is a captstone for 8th graders
- ethical component
- 7th grade is a combo human development, sex ed, human bio, lots
of physical science, spiraling from 6th grade, earth
science/history, a bit of astronomy. Evolution.
- two sciences in 8th grade?
- huge range in 8th grade-one level. Large range in abstract
thought.
- teaching building is in 8th grade—
- has teaching about the building replaced some topics?
- no it helps to frame it.
- take 3 days to do tour of the building, learn what the
various features of the building do. 1/3 become
tourguides.
- How would this affect summer school?
- there have been a number of years when there are 10-12 kids in
bio to catch up to peers...
- Would we keep offering these?
- How does this affect the social aspect of the class? Would it be
better for all freshman to be in the same science class? Would this
help sophomores in freshman bio classes?
- Could you do bio 1a or physics for freshman?
- Would be hard for staffing
- Would still lead to kids being differentiated on the basis of
their science course
- Senior year--now will be the most different.
- no seniors will take physics (15 or so will still take physics II)
-
- Impact on physics II?
- Would students be able to cover entire C Level (both Mech and E&M)
- Would kids be less prepared for college level physics?
- What would other seniors take?
- Chem II, Bio II, Env. Sci,
- new classes?
- Could chem II and Bio II do more than the AP syllabus
- Maret has courses beyond ap chem
- Could juniors take bio and 2nd year chem course together?
- How would this affect env sci?
- Would likely be pushed to senior year?
- Why do you double?
- This just makes bigger classes?
- Where does env. stewardship fit into the classroom?
- How does this affect overall choice for students?
- do we create a required path for students through the curriculum?
- or do we offer the chinese menu approach?
- Maybe we should be talking to the students who are doubling in
classes and get their take on the approach?
- Find out student input on the decision?
- Why are we talking about this anyway?
- Is something broken?
- Could 7th grade be a "real" physical science course?
- 7th grade is too late for sex ed?
- Impact of math tracking?
- Could the science department stop using math courses as placement for
science?
- general guideline would be better.
-
- dovetails with health/drugs curriculum in freshman studies?
- Bio was for more concrete thinkers at the time
- students needed to be more comfortable with math at that
- Bio needs the least math?
- in last 50 years, biology has changed to involve much more
chemistry in mol. bio.
- What are the benefits of the course that requires the most math to
the years when they know the least?
- Is physics math, or is math a tool used in physics?
- How can physics help lead into/ complement math?
- Are we looking at moving conceptual physics to 9th grade? Or are we
looking at something entirely new?
- Why would we need something new?
- Conceptual physics requires too much memorization?
- What would be the 4 year sequence?
- How would this affect senior courses/electives?
- how would this affect junior year?
- history, english, reading heavy already—bio is too? what would
this mean?
- Easier to double with physics?
- students avoid conceptual physics as juniors by taking chem II.
Math requirements..
- How does this having chem before bio affect the biology course?
- Sectioning? would all students take the same course?
- NCS has one level
- SSSA has three levels tracked to 3 math tracks
- A majority of any kind of 9th grade programs have 2 levels
- There are more students now who are taking math II as freshmen
- Majority are taking Alg I in 8th grade. some taking Math I, some
taking non-alg course.
- Why are we considering changing the whole sequence of science?
- current bio course covers atom to biosphere in 1 year...would
this be more managable to juniors?
- Would a good solid physical science course do the same thing?
- Bio 1A is inquiry based
- students do independent research project, work on this all year
long. Would average junior be able to do this?
- could you do this with 80 kids?
- Would significantly change biology...
- 23/125 kids
- could we reduce content in bio?
- separate out human phys course material into a separate class?
- Should every student study bio, chem and physics in high school?
- in writing, we infer that you have to take 1 life and one
physical (phy sic, physics, chem) in high school
- are chem and physics different enough to require that students
have a full year?
- Students should have exposure to these three before they leave...
by making this change, this becomes an unwritten requirement.
-
- What is enrollment?
- how many students are in each course?
- benefits of bringing more math into 9th grade science
curriculum..would this allow kids to enhance their math skills?
- Gtown friends saw increased psat scores?
- Thinking about some of the Alg I
- would they be ready for a chem 1 class as sophomores?
- How are other schools adapting for lower level students
- SSSA still has a 10th grade env. sci placeholder...
- Has the middle school talked about the feasability of env sci in 7th
grade?
- Need background in physical science, can't do climate change N P
cycles
- env course is a captstone for 8th graders
- ethical component
- 7th grade is a combo human development, sex ed, human bio, lots
of physical science, spiraling from 6th grade, earth
science/history, a bit of astronomy. Evolution.
- two sciences in 8th grade?
- huge range in 8th grade-one level. Large range in abstract
thought.
- teaching building is in 8th grade—
- has teaching about the building replaced some topics?
- no it helps to frame it.
- take 3 days to do tour of the building, learn what the
various features of the building do. 1/3 become
tourguides.
- How would this affect summer school?
- there have been a number of years when there are 10-12 kids in
bio to catch up to peers...
- Would we keep offering these?
- How does this affect the social aspect of the class? Would it be
better for all freshman to be in the same science class? Would this
help sophomores in freshman bio classes?
- Could you do bio 1a or physics for freshman?
- Would be hard for staffing
- Would still lead to kids being differentiated on the basis of
their science course
- Senior year--now will be the most different.
- no seniors will take physics (15 or so will still take physics II)
-
- Impact on physics II?
- Would students be able to cover entire C Level (both Mech and E&M)
- Would kids be less prepared for college level physics?
- What would other seniors take?
- Chem II, Bio II, Env. Sci,
- new classes?
- Could chem II and Bio II do more than the AP syllabus
- Maret has courses beyond ap chem
- Could juniors take bio and 2nd year chem course together?
- How would this affect env sci?
- Would likely be pushed to senior year?
- Why do you double?
- This just makes bigger classes?
- Where does env. stewardship fit into the classroom?
- How does this affect overall choice for students?
- do we create a required path for students through the curriculum?
- or do we offer the chinese menu approach?
- Maybe we should be talking to the students who are doubling in
classes and get their take on the approach?
- Find out student input on the decision?
- Why are we talking about this anyway?
- Is something broken?
- Could 7th grade be a "real" physical science course?
- 7th grade is too late for sex ed?
- Impact of math tracking?
- Could the science department stop using math courses as placement for
science?
- general guideline would be better.
-